Social

At long last, MIKE OLT! makes his Spring debut at third base. Hopefully he gets some chances early and often, and evaluation may occur without delay.

Today’s game is on CSN, or you can listen at Cubs.com. Jeff Samardzija gets the start, and the lineup is mostly regulars once again.

Interestingly, Junior Lake – who’s been out for a little while, playing in minor league games and maybe just getting some rest time (it’s been a rough Spring) – is playing left field today. That’s the first time he’s started out of center field, where Ryan Sweeney will play today. That’s the alignment we expected for them coming into Spring Training, and that might be how things shake out for Opening Day. Until now, Lake had played exclusively in center field.

Good thing it’s fake baseball or that lineup would be causing fireworks. 😉

C. Steadman

Why not Barney at SS instead of Murphy if we’re trying to shop him to the Tigers? maybe they’re more interested in Schierholtz

C. Steadman

I do like Olt at 3B finally!!

Danny Ballgame

Yes on Barney and yes on Olt

Randallm83

Morosi just tweeted that Jacob Turner is available and being actively shopped. We should snag him before D-Backs or Mariners do

Edwin

Turner seems like he’s taken a pretty big step back. His fastball isn’t too special, he’s struggled to get a K% much higher than 15%, and his BB% and GB% isn’t high enough to make up for it.

I’m not sure how much the Cubs should give up for him.

itzscott

Like Olt, Turner was a very highly ranked prospect a few years ago.

I hope he goes to the DBacks….

I don’t think the Cubs match up too well with the Marlins, but if he goes to the DBacks there are 2 possibilities for the Cubs:

1) Either he can be included in a Samardzjia trade

OR

2) His presence could free up Bradley in a Samardzjia trade.

The Real Wrigley

Bradley won’t be part of a Shark trade…unless Shark is the “throw-in” in that particular deal. That’s how well regarded Bradley is, both in Arizona, throughout MLB.
Shark is not that good. Say it out loud. Thanks.

Blackhawks1963

Jacob Turner’s stock has taken a huge fall. His velocity isn’t great and he has a hard time missing bats. Why would we want him when it’s no certainty he can even nail down a rotation spot? No thanks.

Spoda17

I called into MLB radio and spoke with Jim Bowden about Barney and Sherholyz to Detroit. He thinks they should sign Drew… he did not think Barney and Sherholtz will happen, Detroit won’t give up the prospects… It was a good exchange… haha…

candyland07

Well…. I talk to my sister in Detroit and she said – They want a deal like what the Yankees got – Let the Cubs pay 70 percent of combine salary and they will trade us a mid level has been pitcher, that they are thinking about cutting at the end of spring training. and then …they must roll the 20 sided dice just to make sure karma is on Detroit side.

Noah_I

That’s not the deal the Yankees got. The Cubs paying a lot of the salary is correct, but the Cubs got a legitimate pitching prospect in return.

candyland07

The joke would be the Cubs thinking they can snarl a mid level prospect from the Tigers for Barny and Schierholtz. Realistically the Tiger are looking for depth and around the league SS and 4/5 outfielders can be picked up more cheaply than what BN readers think what those two are worth.

Just because those two players start on the Cubs roster / they are Subs in a Detroit line up, and in order to get a quality prospect like Corey Black , the Cubs should eat salary .

Detroit is not desperate they have options unlike the Yankees.

http://www.teamfums.org MichiganGoat

The biggest plus to moving anybody right now is it open spots on the roster and we need spots if we want to keep players. Whatever ever player we get back for those two will be minor but having two open spots is a great plus.

candyland07

i have stated that exact line of reasoning . I actually stated that today and yesterday. but thank you . You and I are in agreement. The best part is the two open slots on the 25 man roster and 40 man roster. I salute YOU goat.

http://fullcount1544.blogspot.com FullCountTommy

Not sure I agree with this. While freeing up the roster spots is a nice little bonus, I think the front office is more concerned about getting a solid return for 2 regulars on the team who they are in no rush to trade than they are with the possibility of losing a guy like Donnie Murphy.

Funn Dave

Yeah, why are we so anxious to free up roster spots? To add more mediocre hitters and relievers? I do agree with candyland that Barney and Schierholtz are worth a lot less than people around here seem to be hoping for. I also agree that the Sori trade was quite weak, especially since we made no effort to spend the small amount of money we saved by unloading him.

Noah_I

I’m for once with Bowden, that the right move for the Tigers is signing Drew. Not only is he better than any of their internal options to replace Iglesias, Drew is also better than Iglesias.

http://fullcount1544.blogspot.com FullCountTommy

All things considered, I would rather have Iglesias if I’m the Tigers

Kyle

David on NSBB just pointed out that Dan Vogelbach is tweeting goodbye to Trevor Gretzky, good luck with the Angels:

Daniel Vogelbach
‏@Flowbro3
Good luck to my boy @TrevorGretzky with the angels. Not going to be the same without u my man, gonna miss you for sure.

Jon

Trevor Gretzky and Duane Underwood for Trout is what I am hearing.

http://www.w2wn.net Cerambam

Shut up lol but seriously why hasn’t anyone jumped on this

Jon

Or maybe he died?

Norm

Because it’s Trevor Gretzky?

Kyle

He’s a legitimate prospect, but not by a lot. Back of our top 50.

Kyle

Mooney confirms a minor deal with Angels upcoming.

aaronb

Hate to give up Underwood unless we are getting another prospect back in that deal.

Darth Ivy

Likelihood that he’s part of a package? Or a 3 team trade?

nick5253

As a married man with the last name of Holt – is it grounds for divorce if my wife won’t let me name our son Steve?

The Real Wrigley

Detroit won’t give up, what SURELY, are more sky-high, ridiculous demands, for a couple of vanilla guys. Just another attempt to lowball someone. Reminds me of “give us the world if you want Shark”.
It’s almost like the FO thinks it’s dealing with some downtrodden franchise, who’s got no clue how to pull off a balanced trade. Detroit was just in the World Serirs, right? What do they know…
I’m all for being high on your own guys, but this is getting stupid.
Take what you can get for Barney. How hard is that to understand???

http://www.friendly-confines.com hansman

“It’s almost like the FO thinks it’s dealing with some downtrodden franchise, who’s got no clue how to pull off a balanced trade. Detroit was just in the World Serirs, right? What do they know…”

The Rays fleece everyone in their trades. Why can’t the Cubs? If we don’t trade Schierholtz and Barney, what’s the worst outcome? We get to keep two competant major leaguers to play baseball for us?

The Real Wrigley

Yes. That’s it.
But, that, also, wasn’t my point.
My point is that Nate/Barney aren’t “all that”. It’s laughable that some folks are suggesting that the FO shoot for the moon in a trade that includes them. And, no, you’re not going to “fleece” anyone with that combo…

Blackhawks1963

Who said TheoJed have delusional viewpoint on the market value of Schierholz and Barney?!? But on the flip slide, the Cubs have no pressing need to trade either as we sit in the middle of an intensive building campaign.

So if Dave Dombrowski dials up and inquires about those two, then I’m guessing TheoJed respond “sure, but you’re going to have to give us a premimu in return.”

All the leverage is on the side of the Cubs. TheoJed aren’t looking for a “fair trade.” Nor should they be in this circumstance. Not difficult to understand.

The Real Wrigley

I have read suggestions that Turner is a possibility in a Nate/Barney trade. That is laughable. Leverage? Theochas no “leverage”, unless Barney is actually a talented player. And, as far as the rebuild goes, do you honestly believe that he is part of it? Leverage?
Fair trade? Of course not. I’m sure Theo will ask for Verlander. That wasn’t my point. My point was that Dombroski IS NOT GOING TO OVERPAY FOR NATE/BARNEY.
I understand that it’s natural for a team’s fan base to overvalue it’s players. I just happen to believe that the Cub’s front office is as guilty of that AS it’s fan base at times.

http://fullcount1544.blogspot.com FullCountTommy

How do the Cubs not have any leverage??? He has no need to trade these players, Detroit is the team who is in need of a left-handed outfielder and a shortstop. The Cubs will be perfectly happy to hang onto these guys until the trade deadline where they will fetch more than they will now in trade just like Blackhawks said. If Dombrowski wants Barney/Nate right now, he will have to overpay, plain and simple.

Also you do realize that Jacob Turner is on the Marlins, not the Tigers, right??

The Real Wrigley

Overpaying is one thing. I get it. But, it’s not like Theo is dangling two GAME CHANGING type guys. What are the Cubs going get at the deadline for Nate/Barney? 10% more? 25% Ok. Fine.
Just don’t act like this “leverage” that Theo has, could, SOMEHOW, cause Dombroski to give the Cubs 5x the return NOW.
We’re talkin about Nate and Barney, man…Nate and Barney!
Reminds me of Iverson’s “practice” rant.

http://fullcount1544.blogspot.com FullCountTommy

Did I ever say that?? Can you read?? The Cubs have all of the leverage in this situation and TheoJed will hold out until they get a return they like. Now I don’t know what that return is, but the Cubs certainly have an idea.

Then why is it directly under my comment? Also Blackhawks and I are saying the exact same thing

C. Steadman

You have NO CLUE what the Cubs FO are asking for Barney/Schierholtz trades, it’s all speculation…and even if our asking price was high, I’m sure Tigers was microscopic…that’s called negotiating…

Blackhawks1963

You’re losing me there chief. So you think the Cub building strategy is being derailed because TheoJed are asking for too much in trades?!? Is that your hypothesis?

Again, the Cubs in the middle of their longer-range building strategy have all the friggin leverage. They had leverage in the Garza trade, and Texas obliged by “overpaying” us for a two month rental. We got a frontline pitching prospct in CJ Edwards and two nice pithcing prospects in Ramirez and Grimm, plus Olt. In the Dempster deal TheoJed held steadfast and were able to get a nice pitching prospect in Hendricks and a nice 3rd base prospect in Villeneuva for a two month rental of Dempster.

Schierholz and Barney don’t have to be traded. We aren’t a Detroit or some other contender with a gaping hole to fill and desperate to find an immediate answer to fill it. So yeah, I kinda sorta want my front office team to hold out for a high return and display patience when they have the luxury to do so.

Crikey.

The Real Wrigley

Derailed the rebuild? Who said anything like that?

Blackhawks1963

SIgh. You’re inferring that TheoJed have placed irrational value on Schierholz and Barney. That they think that the pair is the second coming of Billy Williams and Ryne Sandberg. Of course they don’t think that. But like has been told to you know on multiiple times by multiple posters, there is no incentive to trade either of these guys right now in a “fair” deal. None, nada, zilch.

PLUS, you seem to be speculating wildly that Schierholz and Barney are absolutely going to be traded…for all we know Jon Morosi and Ken Rosenthal are speculating wildly given that Detroit has a clear need in LF and at SS right now.

Relax. This isn’t the first rodeo for TheoJed. They know what they are doing.

The Real Wrigley

I’m not inferring that I know ANYTHING that’s going through Theo, or Jed’s head. I’m SAYING that I’ve READ some pretty RIDICULOUS ideas by posters, IN THIS FORUM, as to THEIR idea of a good asking price for Nate/Barney.
I BELIEVE that THOSE asking prices are way, way too high.
Get it???

mjhurdle

i’m not SURE i agree with YOUR premise, but i wanted TO thank you FOR introducing me to THE joy of CAPITALIZING random words in MY posts.

Blackhawks1963

So key takeaways for me are the following…

Screw TheoJed asking for a premium for Schierholz and Barney. They should feel PRIVILEGED (note the use of capital letters !) to receive a box of balls and a used infield rake for the two, and if so offered then they need to pull the trigger NOW.

http://www.friendly-confines.com hansman

So your initial post bashes the front office for overvaluing their players but then once folks point out the nuance and intelligence behind asking for the moon (or at least what could be considered the moon for a Schierholtz/Barney trade to a team in obvious need) you say that you said something else?

DocPeterWimsey

Isn’t this where Michael Palin comes dancing up and explains how we have to haggle?

Funn Dave

Hey guys, look up the difference between impy and infer.

-BN Grammar Douche

Funn Dave

*imply

candyland07

Derail a rebuild ? hell the rebuild is gonna last 8 years – the business plan and the rebuild is in synch….

JM

Jim Hendry always used to say that a good trade is one that makes both teams better. I thought that was commendable and thought it a good way of doing business.

I’ve since changed my thinking. A good trade (from the perspective of the Cubs) is one that makes the Cubs better. Yes, you want to be a good trading partner, but it would be better to have an A+ scouting department that is the best in the league at evaluating talent. Grab all the best players and let the rest of the teams sort out the rest of the players…

Blackhawks1963

Huh? TheoJed have engineered from beautiful trades in the past. More importantly, the Cubs are under no sense of urgency to make any trade right now and can hold out for a high price tag on their guys. If somebody wants to “overpay” for Schierholz or Barney, then that might get their attention. It shouldn’t be any other way on a club in full scale building mode.

The Real Wrigley

I think you live in a dream world if you think you get 2 rakes for Nate/Barney. Box of balls? Sure. But, TWO rakes??? No way.

tacrowe

Dang. Still no Castro.

http://www.friendly-confines.com hansman

I wouldn’t expect Castro in an MLB game until next week.

tacrowe

Ok. Last I saw there was hope for the end of this week. Maybe that was just for Minor League games.

Javier Bryant

Mooney just reported it’s a minor trade

Blackhawks1963

Sounds to me like the “Detroit rumors” are way overblown. So there is a Detroit baseball honcho scouting the Cubs. So what. This happens all the time. People are speculating on Barney and Schierholz, which certainly is logical to do. But I need to see some actual smoke before I think there is anything serious going on in terms of a trade with Detroit.

http://www.friendly-confines.com hansman

Eh…sending one of the front office (and top scout) to scout some players is a big deal.

Odds are a trade never materializes, but this one is steaming down the tracks.

Blackhawks1963

I need to see some actual proof. Yes, it is clearly logical to think a contender in Detroit who has a troubling hole in LF and shortstop would logically be interested in Schierholtz and Barney. But I need to see some tangible proof that TheoJed share interest in making a deal right now.

Also, if I’m Detroit then why do I really want Barney? He’s never played shortstop at the big league level on a sustained basis, so who is to say he can be superior defensively at the position? And Detroit could deal for Pete Kozma of St. Louis right now if they wanted a proven all glove / no hit shortstop.

C. Steadman

I agree, I believe the Tigers are very interested in Schierholtz to platoon LF with Rajai Davis(what Dirks would’ve done before injury), but not so interested in Barney as we could have hoped.

ssckelley

Explain “actual proof”? You need pictures of these scouts or something?

Funn Dave

Reread what Blackhawks said. He wants proof that the Cubs are interested, not the Tigers.

Funn Dave

A trade can’t be steaming down the tracks if the odds are that it never materializes. Those two clauses are mutually exclusive.

ssckelley

If you do see “actual smoke” would you please call the fire department?

ThatCubsGuy

Olt in the zone

cubsfan08

Any chance the scouts are there to check out Nick Franklin? A move like that doesn’t make a ton of sense but Franklin doesn’t have anywhere to play.

Edwin

Sounds like the Cubs just committed a double TOOTBLAN.

willis

I’m still working so I can’t see the game or really listen, but according to twitter Vizcaino just hit 98 in his inning of work. An easy quick inning. Yes please.

Beautiful BN Apparel

BN on Video

Post Categories

Site Archives

Get In Touch

Search

Disclaimer

In addition to news, Bleacher Nation publishes both rumor and opinion, as well as information reported by other sources. Information on Bleacher Nation may contain errors or inaccuracies, though we try to avoid them. Links to content and the quotation of material from other news sources are not the responsibility of Bleacher Nation. Photos used are the property of Bleacher Nation, are used with permission, are fair use, or are believed to be in the public domain. Legitimate requests to remove copyrighted photos not in the public domain will be honored promptly. Comments by third parties are neither sponsored or endorsed by Bleacher Nation.

Bleacher Nation Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Bleacher Nation is a private media site, and it is not affiliated in any way with Major League Baseball or the Chicago Cubs. Neither MLB nor the Chicago Cubs have endorsed, supported, directed, or participated in the creation of the content at this site, or in the creation of the site itself. It's just a media site that happens to cover the Chicago Cubs.

Bleacher Nation is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.